Page 140 - Interior_SPRING SUMMER FALLING_2021

140 | FRANCESCA P E NN

Claire moves into place, and they pants me the right way, despite my protests.
Sanya smiles triumphantly before handing me a packet of pain killers.

“Take this when you get to the kitchen. He’s all yours, Claire.”

I pull Sanya to me. Gratitude is my excuse to hold her. I cup her face and kiss
her on the forehead with all the sweetness I can muster.

“Thank you.”

Claire pulls me toward the kitchen, supporting me unnecessarily. “I get it,” she
whispers surreptitiously.

“Get what?” I ask adapting the same tone.

“You’re living with me for only a weekend. Your speedy recovery from
betrayal. Your willingness to drop everything and run off to Florida. Your new
homebody status…” She pokes my side with a delicate, pink tipped finger. “You’re
in love with her.”

I am; however, my reluctance to discuss it, especially since I still need to find
out exactly what my Dad said, immediately flips my switch from Mature Adult
Brother to Annoying Childish Brother. I pull her closer like I’m about to impart
all the dirty details and give her a world class noogie instead.

I limp run to the kitchen while fending off her little jumping fist attacks.